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Scots aged 50 to 74 are invited by post to take part in bowel screening every two years.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland but it’s also one of the most treatable if detected early – and the best way of doing that is by completing the test.

Professor Bob Steele, director of the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme, said: “We’ve done work which shows if you do the test your chances of dying from bowel cancer are reduced by almost 30 per cent.

“For a screening programme to be successful, you’ve got to know that the disease is better treated early. About 90 per cent of early cancers are cured by relatively simple procedures, either by endoscopic removal at the time of colonoscopy or by surgery.

“The number of lives saved by doing the test varies from year to year but we reckon it’s in the region of 150 a year.”

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The screening test can spot hidden blood in your poo that you might not otherwise be aware of.

Professor Steele said: “The whole concept of screening is to offer tests to people who are apparently well and don’t have symptoms.

“The purpose is to try to detect the disease before it reaches the stage where it actually causes symptoms.”

Once completed, tests are returned to the Bowel Screening Centre in Dundee then analysed.

Professor Steele said: “We’ve got a group of people who are trained to read these cards. They drop a little bit of developer onto the filter paper on the opposite side of the card from the bowel motion. If it turns blue, there is blood in the sample.

“If the test is positive, there are two options. If it’s very strongly positive then that person will be invited by their health board for a colonoscopy.

Allison Brazil, 60, from Dreghorn, Ayrshire, said: “All the instructions are clearly written out for you. The first time I did it, I had wee giggle to myself and thought, ‘This is a wee bit awkward,’ but it was absolutely fine.

“In Scotland, we’re lucky to be able to do this test. It’s free and can be done in the privacy of your own bathroom. It’s very simple to do and gives you huge peace of mind afterwards.”

Ian Crawford says it's straightforward

Ian Crawford, 59, from Newton Mearns, near Glasgow, said: “I’ve taken five tests up to now and it is really easy to do.

People might feel a bit squeamish about it at first but if you’ve ever changed a baby’s nappy, it is quite straightforward.”

Test was a no brainer for David Johnston

David Johnston, 51, from Edinburgh, said: “When I got the test through after my 50th birthday, I didn’t think twice.

“It didn’t take long. I just followed the instructions, sent it off and could relax when I got the all-clear. Completing a free test that can save your life is a no-brainer.”